It was a great moment when Dana Lyons, famous American environmental singer, known for his internationally famous song “Cows with Guns” contacted Kimberley Toad Busters and offered to help in their campaign.

Dane Lyons heard of the incredible community efforts while I was still in the states and decided that what the Kimberley community was doing in their efforts to mitigate the cane toad impact on native biodiversity was truly amazing”He went on to add “I was very interested in understanding how and what the Kimberley Toad Busters were actually achieving as it sounded like what they were doing was more of a military exercise to the cane toad issue than the sort of environmental approach one usually see’s when dealing with environmental threats”.

Dana spent three weeks touring the Kimberley, visiting remote communities and towns, and discussing various environmental and social issues that seemed to be of great concern to the community in general and how some of these issues were affecting the Kimberley environment. Dana commented that “everywhere I went, no matter who I talked to, the energy and commitment to the need to do more to look after the Kimberley environment was the same. Burning and cane toads were some of the issues that most people seemed concerned about. What was very clear also, was peoples angry reaction to how government could have allowed the cane toad to get this far, and why they were not doing more to assist community to deal with the problem”.

Dana had no problems finding lyrics for his new song ‘Cane Toad Muster’ He went on to say that “one of the inspirations behind the lyrics was a comment by Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley President John Moulden, that the Kimberley was at war with the cane toads, and that if every man, woman and child was out there killing toads, then the toads would be wiped out”.

Dana’s final statement was “I had a lot of fun composing this song and I hope that I have captured the essence of the soul of Kimberley people and the results of the efforts the Kimberley Toad Busters have been trying to achieve, and that it helps them in their amazing efforts to fight the cane toad invasion across the Kimberley ”.

Welcome to the May/June edition of Australian Wildlife Secrets. This issue is our twelfth to date and it marks the end of our second year! And we are excited that this is also our first direct-to-digital edition — our early birthday present to you.

The digital edition is available for computers, tablet devices such as the iPad, and smart phones, so you can read our fabulous wildlife articles anywhere, anytime! The digital version is fantastic value and can be downloaded either from the Apple iTunes store, if you are an iPhone/iPad user, or from ilovemagazines.com.au if you would like to enjoy the magazine across all devices, including PC and iPad.

Check out our website for details.

Our print edition is still, of course, conveniently delivered direct to your door if you are a subscriber and available at all good newsagents. And speaking of subscriptions, we have a brand new competition only for our print/digital subscribers. For your chance to join a fantastic seven-day expedition in Northern Queensland, working alongside the scientists from EarthWatch, all you need to be is a subscriber (new or existing) by 30 June 2013. See page 22 for details on how to enter.

In this issue we look at some of the amazing animals that survive in the harsh, white world of Antarctica. John Cooper takes us inside his incredibly built tower to peek at a family of kestrels. And we bet you haven’t had a chimpanzee climb unexpectedly into your arms — well Fiona Mikowski did and tells about all about her amazing experiences at Ape Action Africa. There’s also some fun Secret Sightings, like romantic Green Tree frogs, plus the O’Mahoneys snap some busy creatures in their Secret Shutterbugs feature. (continue reading…)

In a overnight trip to Adelaide River on the Stuart Hwy in Northern territory. We stayed at the Adelaide River Inn, in swags. The buffalo, which was a tame local in Adelaide River, made famous in the Crocodile Dundee movie, was affectionately known as Charlie and he is now deceased (2000) and is now on display at the Adelaide River Inn. The region has a colourful history originally a strong military presence was established here especially during world war 2. There is a old RAAF landing strip at Fenton and an army installation now run down. While its mostly been well covered with removal of old bottles, military items etc. Its still relatively intact with numerous buildings, for those that cannot help themselves large amounts of sheets of iron that have to be investigated! The region is super warm and tin lifting is best in the early morning. (continue reading…)

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve is an accessible all year round wetland systems connectivity through the Adelaide River system. The Adelaide River catchment is one of several connected catchments which make up the Top End wetlands. This is the remnant of a failed attempt to grow rice. Instead the region became an internationally rtecognised bird sanctuary.

On our recent visit through the area we were unfortunately only driving through at night. From a reptile point of view its common to see a variety of reptiles and frogs at night. Often small crocodiles will be on the road during the wet season. However as amusing as crocs are we were keen to see our old friends the water pythons and keelbacks. As well as the species of frogs. (continue reading…)

In this issue we dive into the ocean depths. Every year those most enigmatic of animals, whales, traverse our oceans, often coming close enough to shore for us to view. Described as the ‘greatest wildlife show on earth’, the inevitable network of boats that races out to meet them is no longer doing so with harpoons, thankfully, but with cameras and binoculars! In this special we look at the top spots to see whales around the country.

Further afield, Tony Holland takes us on a classic African safari – to an exotic location where you will find a dramatic world of animals only seen in Australia in the zoo. In the wilds of Africa, in particular at the Maasai Mara reserve, the savagery and wonders of life are played out in our Secret Places special.

And back home Maggie Harriman tells us about the plight of a female Wedge-tailed Eagle that needed to be separated from her nest and brood due to a serious injury.

Get ready to scroll, pinch and zoom in on your favourite animals! Wildlife Secrets now brings all the news and features across the wildlife globe right to your computers, tablets and smart phones. This issue will be released digitally and our readers will soon be able to subscribe to the digital edition as well as the print edition. Our digital apps will be ready sometime in May and will allow people to download the current edition and past editions, as well as select from multiple subscription offerings. Stay tuned by following us on Facebook or the Wildlife Secrets Blog.

Mornington Peninsula national park, 77 km south of Melbourne, Victoria. It has the unique marine life diversity that such a region would as it has the Western Port bay frontage from the Cape Schanck side while the northern side has its access to Port Phillip Bay. The park is home to large range of Victorian wildlife from Eastern Grey Kangaroos, koalas, seals and antechinus. Birds are plentiful with the ocean faring species like mutton birds common. Penguins swim ashore in some locales and raptors like the sea eagles can be seen here. But in this blog we want to look at the rock pools and sea life. Its true that ocean life is more sensationalised with whales, dolphins and sharks. However a recent trip with Steve Cook was to in the space of a few hours open my eyes to a wonderful treasure chest of marine life